A WORD FROM PASTOR

Pastor Michael Morss

Matthew 5:14-16 - “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (NLT)

Greetings Church Family,

Twenty-four years…and yet we are still here. More than where I was on the morning of September 11, 2001, I can still remember the overwhelming sense that if there was ever a scenario in which our world could be coming to an end, this was it. While the world didn’t end, something in me did. Up until that day, my heart and mind were driven by ambition for success, for materialistic pleasure. Although that worldly ambition didn’t die overnight, a desire for something more was born in me.

By the grace of God, I now live for Christ and His Kingdom. For years, I tried to find purpose in things that were fleeting, but I now understand what Jesus meant when He said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Friends, if ever there was a time for the Church to show up…if ever there was a time for love to win…if ever there was a time for light to shine…the time is now! The Church, love, and light shine the brightest in life’s darkest moments. Would it be, while we wait for the Lord’s return, that the Alpharetta Seventh-day Adventist Church would seek Christ more than any other person or thing, and, in so doing, reflect Christ in all that we say and do? Would it be that the community of Alpharetta would meet Jesus through you and through me, such that our community would flood the streets of heaven?

Would it be…

Pastor Michael

HEALTH MINISTRY

We are already halfway through our Healthy Lifestyle Class, and it’s been an incredible journey filled with laughter, insightful discussions, and exciting food discoveries. Everyone has been so creative with their meal transformations, and we have even explored new foods like eggplant and bulgur wheat together.

Looking ahead, our upcoming sessions will cover adding physical activity, deciphering restaurant menus, optimizing your grocery shopping, and creating a beneficial morning routine.

Join us on Monday nights at 6:30 PM at the church. Please note: There will be no class on September 22. For more details, contact Michelle Jones at (580) 618-1599.

1 Corinthians 10:31 - “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (NLT)

AGAPE FEAST

Agape Feast Experience at Alpharetta SDA Church | Shared by Ms. Jonnice Grentz | Interview by Miss Iksha Kalwal

On August 30th, Alpharetta SDA Church began Communion Sabbath with a beautiful Breakfast Agape Feast. Agape breakfast was served by a group of dedicated women from the church. It was more than just food. It was about togetherness, kindness, and reflecting the love of Jesus.

For Ms. Jonnice Grentz, the morning brought back sweet memories.

“I remember when I was a kid, we used to have Agape Feasts at both church and school,” she shared. “The teachers and Sabbath School leaders always made it feel so special. They would serve us kids, and that always stuck with me. It made us feel important and cared for. Things like that really help you feel like you belong.”

She also reflected on what Agape love means to her: “Agape love is about bringing people together and forming bonds. When you share food and have conversations, it opens the door to friendship and connection. Practicing Agape love means taking time to talk, listen, and care for others without expecting anything in return.”

When asked who she’d love to bring to the next Agape Feast, Ms. Jonnice Grentz responded, “I’d bring my sister. I just want her to experience the warmth and love that lives in this church.”

Pastor Michael’s message, titled “Love at the Table,” reminded everyone that what makes a meal meaningful isn’t what is on the plate; it’s who is at the table with you, and the love shared between you. He read from Proverbs 15:17: “A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.” (NLT)

The Agape breakfast ended with communion, as the church family shared bread and grape juice in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice.

PRAYER MINISTRY

On August 30, the Prayer Ministry met for lunch. We started by talking about prayers that God has answered in our lives. That was the answer to the question we were trying to answer - Why don’t we pray as often as we ought? We talked about how most of us already have our physical needs met. We live in a world of instant gratification. And sometimes we don’t believe that our prayer is effective. And we do know that we are in the midst of a very real battle. The enemy doesn’t want us to pray. To close the meeting, we prayed together and felt God’s very real presence in our midst.

1 John 5:14-15 - “And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.” (NLT)

BABY DEDICATION

Baby Alessandra Georgia Gonzalez

Daughter of Alex and Gabrielle Gonzalez.

SEPTEMBER FAMILY FUN

Erupting Apple Volcano:

A fun science experiment found on the Little Bins for Little Hands website. Fill the center of an apple with the mixture and watch it erupt! FAITH TWIST...relate this experiment to the words we say to others. Read James 4:11-12 and talk about how we need to be careful of the words we speak to others. We need to be uplifting and not let words erupt and spew from our mouth and be hurtful to others.

Supplies:

• Apples

• Baking Soda

• Vinegar

• Container to catch the fizz

• Knife to carve out a hole (for adults to do!)

Apple Bird Feeders: Feed the birds in your yard with these cute apple bird feeders! FAITH TWIST... pray and thank God for the birds. Thank God for feeding them and feeding us.

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup Water

• 2 Packets Unflavored Gelatin

• 2 cups Birdseed

• 4 Apples

• 8 small screws

• Twine

Directions:

• Bring Water to a boil, add gelatin, and stir until completely dissolved.

• Mix the birdseed into this mixture.

• Cut the apples in half lengthwise and hollow out the insides with a spoon or knife.

• Fill each apple with bird seed mixture, set on a sheetpan, and put in the fridge for 1-2 hours or until firm.

• Poke a screw into the top of each apple and tie a piece of twine to it.

• Hang outside for all the birds to enjoy!

Visit an Apple Orchard and Make Applesauce:

• Use different apple varieties that you pick at the orchard to teach children that, like the diverse apples, God made all people unique yet loves and wants all to come to Him.

  
  

• Do an apple tasting. Slice various apples and have them sample each one. After the tasting, read scripture (Acts 17:26-27 and Romans 10:11-13) and discuss how, like how the different apples blend to make delicious applesauce, different people can come together through God's love.

  
  

• Make applesauce. Google fresh applesauce or use this link: https://www.spendwithpennies.com/homemade-applesauce/.

  
  

• Discuss how, similar to how the different apples blend to make delicious applesauce, different people can come together through God's love.

JOKES

Q: Why did the worm leave the apple to go into a pear?

A: Because Noah said to travel in pears  (pairs)

Q: Who’s an apple’s favorite relative?

A: Granny

TRIVIA

Question: What did God ask to be brought "into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house"?

Answer: Malachi 3:10

Question: What did Jesus say the "Good Shepherd" would do for his sheep?

Answer: John 10:11 - 18

Question: What’s the last word in the Old Testament?

Answer: Malachi 4:6

Acts 17:26-27 – “From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries. His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him - though he is not far from any one of us.” (NLT)

Romans 10:11-13 – As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” (NLT)